The historic Village Club Card Room in San Diego, CA, owned by the Souza family has relocated and held its official opening yesterday, but owner Harvey Souza and family have been ironing out the kinks since May.

The business has been a staple in the South County community since 1946, and home to the family for nearly 70 years.

Joao de Souza, the great grandfather of Harvey Souza, owned the 11 Mile Saloon in Hilo, Hawaii in the late 1800’s. The new name, the Seven Mile Casino, pays homage to the saloon which was 11 miles from he nearest town.

The new location remains in Chula Vista, not quite a mile from the previous location, and commensurate with the name, seven miles from San Diego in one direction and seven miles from Tijuana in the other.

The new card room is larger and employs an additional 100 people; it offers California blackjack, baccarat, pai-gow and poker along with a restaurant featuring Chinese and American cuisine.

The Seven Mile Casino is part of the revitalization of the Chula Vista Bayfront and Souza worked collectively with the city to get operations up and running.